NYC82IA137

Factual narrative

DURING INITIAL CLIMB, THE AMBER LEADING EDGE FLAT LIGHT REMAINED LIT AFTER FLAP RETRACTION FROM 5 DEGREES TO 2 DEGREES. MODERATE AILERON AND RUDDER INPUTS WERE REQUIRED TO MAINTAIN WINGS LEVEL FLIGHT. AFTER CYCLING THE FLAPS FROM 5 BACK TO 2 DEGREES, THE SAME CONDITION EXISTED AND THE SECOND OFFICER CONFIRMED THAT THE NO. 7 SLAT WAS NOT RETRACTING. THE FLAPS WERE THEN EXTENDED TO 15 DEGREES, ELIMINATING THE ROLLING TENDENCY, AND THE FLIGHT RETURNED TO LAGUARDIA. SUBSEQUENT INSPECTION REVEALED THAT AN INBOARD SLAT TRACK ROLLER SUPPORT BOLT FOR THE NO. 7 SLAT HAD FAILED. THE ROLLER WAS FOUND LODGED BETWEEN THE INBOARD TRACK AND WING STRUCTURE. THE ROLLER WAS SEIZED WITH SEVERAL BEARINGS MISSING. LITTLE LUBRICATION WAS EVIDENT. THE BOLT FRACTURED THROUGH A LUBRICATION HOLE THAT THE ROLLER MOUNTS OVER. BOLT FRACTURE FACES EXHIBITED STRIATIONS AND CUPPING. TOTAL TIME ON BOLT AND ROLLER WAS 18,815 HOURS. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12